Protein Information

Cytokine with a wide variety of biological functions. It is a potent inducer of the acute phase response. Plays an essential role in the final differentiation of B-cells into Ig-secreting cells Involved in lymphocyte and monocyte differentiation. It induces myeloma and plasmacytoma growth and induces nerve cells differentiation Acts on B-cells, T-cells, hepatocytes, hematopoietic progenitor cells and cells of the CNS. Also acts as a myokine. It is discharged into the bloodstream after muscle contraction and acts to increase the breakdown of fats and to improve insulin resistance.

IL6 is involved in a variety of processes such as development, differentiation, and inflammation [ 8426042]. Mice without IL6 have a defective hepatocyte regeneration and develop liver failure [ 8910279]. Transgenic mice expressing high levels of IL6 have a reduced growth rate and low levels of IGF1 [ 9045866]. Its levels appear to increase with age, possibly associating IL6 with age-related changes, such as chronic inflammatory diseases [ 10774463]. Polymorphisms in the human IL6 gene have been linked to age-related diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases [ 15036420], though they have not been associated with longevity [ 11640949]. A role for IL6 in human ageing is plausible though largely obscure.

References

MeSH Terms:
Only a subset of the Medical Subject Headings terms is shown: the Major Topics MeSH terms.
They describe one of the main topics discussed in the article denoted by an asterisk on the MeSH term or MeSH/Subheading combination on the PubMed page.
MeSH terms that belong to the Ageing MeSH are highlighted in green.